Passing on the baton.

Having played at high levels previously, Qureshi says it’s up to him and the other senior players in the Mitchell side to help pass on their experience to the promising players set to make the step up.

“For me personally, these sort of games are about the young guys in the team,” Qureshi said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Macquarie Valley at Jack Brabham (2).

Mitchell plays Lachlan at Holman Oval in Cowra on Sunday.

“I was lucky enough to play in Sydney, Mitchell and Western Zone when I was younger, and it’s up to me now to share what I’ve learnt at those levels with the young guys coming into the side,” he added.

“There’s obviously only a few spots in the zone side up for grabs, but I’m pretty confident anyone in a Mitchell, Macquarie or Lachlan side wouldn’t look out of place in the zone team either.”

Qureshi says confidence is high in the Bathurst-dominated Mitchell side, with last year’s Western Zone Premier League champions picking up where they left off last summer with a brilliant McDonald’s Country Cup win over Dubbo last weekend.

Bathurst made 7-260 from 50 overs, young star Ryan Peacock (75) and Qureshi (56) anchoring the innings in the middle order, later bowling Dubbo out for 171.

Dan Casey, Joey Coughlan, Ben Orme, Wayne Sellers, Matt Stephen, Henry Shoemark and Western Zone gun Josh Toole are other Bathurst players in the Mitchell line-up.

Qureshi said maintaining momentum was the key to returning Mitchell to the top of the zone standings.

“Play our game,” he said.

“We’ve just got to do what we do and grind away. I’d say the Macquarie side will be a lot like the Dubbo team, and they’re going to put us under pressure. 

“We’ve just got to do our own thing.”

Qureshi said Bathurst seamer Stephens is a potential bolter for a zone spot, with selectors indicating a pace position is open in the line-up.

“I’d say someone like Matty Stephens, he’s someone who’s really bowling well and a great team man. He could easily say pick me this weekend, and guys like Ben Orme, he’s an exciting hitter,” the Mitchell skipper said.

Saturday’s game begins at 10am in Orange.

MITCHELL: Jameel Qureshi (Bathurst) (c), Dan Casey (Bathurst), Matt Corben (Orange), Joey Coughlan (Bathurst), James Heath (Blue Mountains), Hugh Le Lievre (Orange), Ben Orme (Bathurst), Ryan Peacock (Bathurst), Wayne Sellers (Bathurst), Matt Stephen (Bathurst), Henry Shoemark (Bathurst), Josh Toole (Bathurst), Richie Venner (Orange)